Chontal: 40 000 speakers according to UNESCO and 55 000 according to SIL

Ch’orti ‘: 11 000 speakers according to UNESCO and 30 000 according to SIL

Tzotzil

Tzeltal: 190 000 speakers according to SIL

Tzotzil: 264 000 speakers according to SIL

Q’anjob’al Branch

Chuj

Chuj: 60 000 speakers according to UNESCO and 50 000 according to SIL

Tojolab’al: 36 000 speakers according to SIL

Q’anjob’al proprio

Akateko: 60 000 speakers according to SIL and 35 000 according to UNESCO

Popti ‘: 99 000 speakers according to SIL and 34 500 according to UNESCO

Mocho ‘: (alternative name: Mototzintleko): 170 speakers according to SIL and 141 according to UNESCO

Q’anjob’al: 78,000 speakers according to SIL

Eastern Group

Mam Branch

Mam

Mam: 486 000 speakers according to UNESCO and 440 000 according to SIL

Tektiteko(alternative name: Teko): 1 200 speakers according to UNESCO and 2 300 according to SIL

Ixil

Awakateko: 9616 speakers according to UNESCO

Ixil: 83 000 speakers according to UNESCO and 69 000 according to SIL

K’iche ‘ Branch

Q’eqchi: 421 000 speakers according to SIL

Uspanteko: 3 971 speakers according to UNESCO

K’iche ‘

Kaqchikel: 445 000 speakers according to UNESCO and 451 000 according to SIL

K’ichee ‘: 2 400 000 speakers according to SIL

Sakapulteco: 6 973 speakers according to UNESCO and 37 000 according to SIL

Sipakapense: 5 687 speakers according to UNESCO and 8 000 according to SIL

Tz’utujiil: 237 speakers according to UNESCO and 84 000 according to SIL

Poqom

Poqomchi ‘: 92 941 speakers according to UNESCO

Poqomam (alternate name: Poqomjo): 49 000 speakers according to SIL

Comments on the classification of Mayan languages:

We follow the classification of Campbell (1997) and OKMA (2008).

Are Mayan languages in danger?

This family includes several endangered languages.

Tz’utujiil is probably the most threatened language today. With only a handful of elderly native speakers, and the younger generations that have shifted to Spanish, the language may die out very soon. The number of speakers given by UNESCO is much higher than that given by SIL, but it is likely that the number from UNESCO includes all community members rather than the actual number of native speakers.

Other languages, such as Lakantun, Mocho ‘, Tektiteo and Awakateko are also very close to extinction. They are considered to be “seriously endangered” by UNESCO.

In the category “endangered” of the UNESCO, there are several additional languages where the number of speakers is only slightly higher: Sakapulteko, Sipakapense, Tz’utujiil, Kaqchikel, Jakaltkco, Akatejo, Ch’orti ‘, and Chontal.

As with other Mayan languages, if they are not yet in danger, they can be considered “vulnerable” and their survival is not assured in the medium term.

Sources:

Campbell, Lyle. American Indian languages: the historical linguistics of Native America. Oxford University Press. Oxford (1997).

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have more information on this language: contact@sorosoro.org

Sorosoro is a program carried by the WOLACO Association (World Languages ​​Conservancy) and supported by the Laboratory of Excellence ASLAN (Advanced Studies on language complexity) from the University of Lyon.